Overview
Setting up the OTTO Pixel through Google Tag Manager (GTM) is a common workflow for connecting your site to OTTO in Search Atlas. If you are experiencing issues with the pixel not being detected or seeing an OTTO not found status, this article explains what to prepare and how to escalate so our team can help you resolve it quickly.
What Is the OTTO Pixel and Why Use GTM?
The OTTO Pixel allows Search Atlas to verify that OTTO is active on your website. Google Tag Manager is a supported installation method that lets you deploy the pixel without editing your site's code directly. Each Search Atlas project generates its own unique pixel code, so the correct code must be installed for the correct project.
Common Causes of OTTO Pixel Connection Issues
- GTM container not published: Adding a tag in GTM and saving it is not enough — the container must be submitted and published before any tags will fire on your live site.
- Wrong project code installed: Each project has a unique pixel code. Using a code from a different project will prevent OTTO from detecting the connection.
- Duplicate or conflicting pixel installations: If the OTTO Pixel was previously added manually to your site's theme or a plugin, this can conflict with the GTM-based installation. Only one installation method should be active at a time.
- Tag not triggering correctly: The GTM tag must be configured with an appropriate trigger (such as All Pages) to fire on your website. Use GTM's Preview mode to verify the tag is firing as expected.
- GSC integration not connected: If you are also experiencing issues with Google Search Console integration alongside the pixel, both may need to be verified or reconnected from within your project settings.
What to Have Ready When Contacting Support
Because OTTO Pixel issues often require our team to inspect your project configuration directly, please have the following information ready before reaching out:
- Your Search Atlas project name and the domain it is associated with
- The specific error message or status you are seeing (e.g., OTTO not found)
- Whether you are using GTM or another installation method
- Whether the GTM container has been published after adding the OTTO tag
- Any screenshots of your GTM tag configuration or the OTTO Pixel section in your project
- Whether a previous manual pixel installation may still be present on the site
If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.